Things I've Learned So Far...

So I thought I would do a small rant because I've been a little frustrated this morning and it helps to write it out. Here are some things I've learned so far about being in a new area and being a navy spouse (lame I know) haha.
1). Get a Power of Attorney. I wish I did before Dizzle left to go underway, I've been okay getting things done for the most part, but I feel that this is really important.
2). Patience is key. I've never really had a problem before with patience, but I've learned that now it's more important than ever (especially being further south now and in a congested area). This is why I go to Yoga or the gym, or write in my blog. Just remember that things will, eventually, get done.
3). Stay organized. After watching hours of Hoarders, and after going through Dizzle's paperwork, I've learned the value of organization. I've always been very organized when it came to the workplace, now I know it's just as important at home.
4). You will be on the phone, for a while. But, for the most part, people are willing to help you out with anything you need, to the best of their ability.
5). Get a bank account in the state your in. If you discover that your bank isn't in your new state, go get one new one (or open a new one) as soon as you can.
6). The Fleet and Family Support centers have free, great programs, use them.
7). Jump into things. I've gone online and met some other women in the area. It's sounds weird, but you have to live life and take a few risks here and there. Do it.
8). Have a good book in hand. I'm finally reading the sequel to Ender's Game (Ender in Exile) which is pretty awesome so far. Random, I know. But always have a good book in hand to turn to when your frustrated or a favorite tv show, or video game.

Other than this...just remember to do the things you love and to stay busy and focused :)

2010 - A Reflection on a Crazy Year

I decided to go back and reflect on this past year. This has definitely been the most exciting, nerve-wracking, and intense year I've ever had. (Note: I apologize that not all the months line up, for whatever reason it can't be fixed).
                                                                    
                                                                  JANUARY
        Dizzle had his going away party for OCS, which was an absolute blast.

 

FEBRUARY

Dizzle and I officially started dating and he left for OCS. The same day he started OCS, my dad called me and told me he was engaged.

MARCH

I can't actually remember much of what happened. Dizzle and I sent a lot of letters back and forth, and I was helping my best friend get ready for her upcoming wedding in May. 

APRIL

I actually bought my first digital camera! Sad, I know. I spent Easter in Boston with my Dad and Sue. My grandparents came as well! :) The weather was starting to get really nice by the end of the month so a friend and I went to Green Lakes and basked in the sun. Kassie (my best friend's little girl) also turned 2!

                                                       My sister and I in Boston.

MAY

Very busy month!! My best friend had her bridal shower, bachelorette party, and she got married!! Dizzle also graduated from OCS!

 

JUNE

Dizzle and I got engaged! Another one of my friend's had her bachelorette party, went to visit Dizzle as he was going through his schooling, visited old friends from college,  and my dad got married! Dizzle and I also had our first experience with Ethiopian food :)

                                                   
                                                                          JULY
  I spent July 4th with Dizzle. We took Kassie to Sylvan Beach, and Dizzle left. I was now on my own, but at least I had great friends and family around.

                                                                     
                                                                        AUGUST
Dizzle and I celebrated our 6 month anniversary from a distance (lame I know lol). My best friend's family got new dachshund puppies, some good friends of mine from college got married and I did some typical summer activities in CNY (like putt-putt).

SEPTEMBER

Went apple picking with Kassie and my best friend, also went to a Thirty-One gifts party and got a new gym bag with my future monogram on it. 

OCTOBER

Was a pretty busy month! Went pumpkin picking, went to Virginia to visit my brother and looked at apartments. We also took Kassie trick-or-treating, and I went to a Halloween party with the besties :)

NOVEMBER

Thanksgiving, of course, and I went to Long Island/NYC to visit some old friends! It was an awesome weekend, I also went to my first Broadway show :) The only bad news I had was that we had to change our wedding date, so we decided to get married earlier, and then have our big wedding later on. 

DECEMBER

Big month! I had my last day of work, where I was thrown a big breakfast party and I knew I was going to miss everyone. But Dizzle came back and we got married!!! We got to spend Christmas and New Year's together, and now we are living in VA. I've gained a wonderful new family, which I visited throughout the year. I couldn't ask to be surrounded by better people. I'm thankful for everyone in my life. I hope this year is just as exciting as 2010!

 Of course this isn't everything that has happened this past year. But I've realized that I can be extremely independent, that I have a man that loves me greatly, and that I also have friends and family behind me. I think that's all I could ever ask for. :)

   

Meet the Newest Member of the Family...Dwight

So I went out and got a crowntail betta fish today. His name is Dwight after a character in our favorite tv show (The Office). I know what you're thinking...who cares...it's a fish. Listen though, Dizzle and I are thinking about getting a big fish tank in the future, and this is a start. Seeing as we can't have a puppy in our place...a fish it is. He's pretty cool though, pretty active for a betta fish. I guess the woman at the store said he's still very young, and he'll be getting bigger. I got the starter kit that came with food, rocks, plant, tank and water conditioner.

I'm not sure where to put him yet, but he is definitely a bright and cheery addition to the apartment :)

Future Wedding Date...

So I know everyone is wondering when the big wedding ceremony is going to happen. Well...Dizzle and I are trying to figure that out. His schedule is pretty tight right now, so we are hoping for late summer/early fall. After having to rearrange things once already, I'm not too worried. It is important for us to have this ceremony though because we want to be in front of family and friends when we say our vows again in front of God. We believe God was present for our small one too, but we really just want to have a church wedding, and have everyone after be there with us to celebrate :) I'm sorry that we've had to change it so many times, but...you all still love us, right? Haha. Well I hope so anyways...or you're not invited. :P

(Found this online...Dizzle wishes...)

Homecoming Pictures!

I know not everyone got to see homecoming pictures, but here are just a few...

 These are all the people waiting anxiously in the tent for the ship. We were all trying to stay warm!

 Here is the ship pulling into the pier, if you look closely you can tell that they have their Santa hats on!
Getting closer...

I was just happy to be in his arms again!
Of course his parents said he shouldn't be hard to spot, just look for the shortest officer...
(Haha, sorry babe, we can both be short together the rest of our lives now).

Welcome to Virginia!

So it's been a little crazy since Christmas, Dizzle got back from being at sea after a long while and we had been on the go ever since. We got married, relaxed (very little), caught up with each other, rented a truck, and drove to our new home in Virginia (where we are now stationed). I figured I'd start a blog, a good way to get my thoughts out and let people know how we're doing. Our wedding was quick, in front of a Chinese pagoda in downtown Norfolk, it was right on the water, but I thought it was rather beautiful...freezing, but beautiful. Our marriage commissioner was a little old lady who reminded us of the lady in Poltergeist with her little voice, and the way she presented herself. Dizzle and I had a good laugh about it though. We drove home after the ceremony and then all the Christmas fun started. We saw pretty much everyone, and after a nice 10 days or so, got ready to head to VA. Packing, which I absolutely hate, was as awful as I thought it would be, but luckily we got everything packed, and my brother and his girlfriend drove down Dizzle's car while we rode in the rental. The ride was easy, seeing as we are dorks and listened to stand-up comedy the whole way (I LOVE Jim Gaffigan). Dizzle was also concentrating very hard driving the truck, which kind of made me laugh. When we got here, it was in the 60's, much nicer than the 20 degree weather . We got everything unpacked and we had a couple days together. I pretty much have been putting the apartment together since then. Dizzle got the HUGE tv he wanted, which my brother also watched the whole week. But other than that, we've been enjoying our time together as a little family, had some friends up (which will be my next post) and have created our little home.

I'm a little sad because Dizzle goes out again very shortly for a few weeks, it always seems like whenever we have time together, something else always has to slip in. I can't complain though, I knew what I was getting into. I do thank God everyday though that Dizzle and I were best friends for 6 years first before we got married. It does make things little easier (even though we both wish we had gotten together sooner), and we always laugh at everything. Either that or we debate about a subject, the joy of an elephant and a donkey living together under one roof. Right now for me, my goals are to find a job (homemaker doesn't really cut it for me, I already miss working...what's wrong with me), look for a church, get into Yoga again, and find some good books to read. At this exact moment though, I'm addicted to Netflix. We also didn't have internet for two weeks (or television) so it's been great doing those things at the same time. My days have been very busy with errands though, but I really want to watch a movie before I go out to do them...I think I'll do that right now.